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R Visions in Glass
is a company of Northwest artists committed to a mission of creating glass art that warms the heart and stirs the imagination. Our vision is based in the shared belief that art can have a transforming effect on our lives. A portion of all proceeds is given to charity, with the hope that each artistic expression will enrich our community and those in need.
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Blog #1 How It All Began
Blog #2 Learning As We Go
Blog #3 You Know You Are In Trouble When
Blog #4 No Don Quixote or Jiminy Cricket
R Blog #5
The Impossible Dream Unfolds
In our family we have a saying, “It’s a God thing.” We watch for things that have God’s fingerprints all over them. Others may call them coincidence, or karma, or from the universe, but we believe they are God leading us or blessing us.
In 2007, we were pretty happy making fused glass and doing torchwork. We sold our art, gave pieces to non-profits as donations for fund raising, and gave glass gifts to family and friends. Life was good.
That year Andrew and Robbin signed up for a year-long advanced course on how to achieve the life you love. In one class they were asked to answer a simple question, “What would be the most impossible dream you could imagine for yourself?” Andrew thought and then told his group that it would be to own his own hot shop.
Once Andrew began to talk about his “impossible dream” to others, many unusual things began to happen. He was given the main components of a small hot shop by another glass artist. Definitely a God thing!! This represented a huge gift to us! Then another glass artist sold him a new, unused kiln and some high-end glass blowing hand tools for a fraction of their value. The garage was beginning to fill up with the makings of a hot shop. We each recognized the fingerprints of God all over these amazing blessings. All through the Bible it tells us of how much God wants to bless us. We believe that we are often the obstacle to the biggest blessings God wants to give to us. We decided to step forward to see what those blessings were.
Andrew and Robbin began talking about the impossible dream. Robbin put a stake in the ground and said “we will have a hot shop”. It wasn’t even a question for her, she believed that God was leading and an obvious path seemed to be opening up. Andrew sketched plans for a 1000 square foot hot shop for their backyard. It consisted of a hot shop studio, gallery, bathroom and a storage area-all with a 14 foot ceiling. He and Robbin visited their banker and received the needed financing. The plans were finalized by an architect and submitted to the city.
Now if you have ever waited for building approvals, you know that it is not a fast or easy process. (Do I hear some groaning brought on by remembering experiences you’ve had???) You can imagine our surprise when the plans were approved in a week!! Ground was broken a week later in August of 2007! The impossible was becoming possible.
In September, the gas and electric ditches were dug (the yard resembled the work of a giant mole), pipes and lines were laid, and the foundation was poured. Andrew now was back to work full-time, teaching and attending meetings.
Those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest can imagine Noah building an ark for the rain. We understand rain. Well, Andrew wasn’t building an ark, but he did know the rain was coming. Now he was faced with getting the frame up and plywood on it, the trusses up and the roof on while being restricted to working late afternoons and weekends. God’s blessings come in many forms, and though they may not know it, 3 people were blessings God sent to help; friends Kirk VanGelder and Woody Pollock, and Andrew’s dad, Ron. They were a fantastic source of support, information, and hands to help.
The rain came and the building didn’t float away or leak!! It was winter, things were progressing, and God was not finished supplying us with blessings. Next time I’ll tell you about the electrician who wasn’t and the shopper who was.